SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Lindenwood men's basketball (5-7, 0-0 OVC) dropped their final away non-conference game of the season at Missouri State (8-4, 1-1 MVC) by a final score of 57-79. LU held to just 16 points in the first half on 6-28 shooting (21.4%).

"Tough night versus a really good Missouri State team," said head coach Kyle Gerdeman. "We had some good moments on both ends of the floor, but we are pushing for more. Now it's about getting prepared for our last game of the semester on Friday. We have a chance to cap off a good non-conference, but we are going to have to work for it and be prepared."

Jaylon McDaniel was the leading scorer for the Lions after posting a career high 13 points on 5-11 shooting while pulling down four rebounds. Despite a poor shooting night, Keenon Cole (10 points, 2-11 FG) continued his streak of scoring 10+ points in every game this season. 

Missouri State's Alston Mason caught fire on Tuesday night putting up a career high 34 points on 11-21 shooting including five triples. N.J. Benson also scored 17 points for the Bears while grabbing 12 rebounds.

Lindenwood jumped out to the early lead going up 6-0 including two spin move layups from McDaniel. Missouri State then went on a 18-2 run to take a 18-8 lead at the 9:37 mark. The Lions turned the ball over five times in the span.

Amoro Lado's layup with 8:31 stopped a five minute scoring drought for the Lions in which they went 0-7 from the field. The Bears ended the quarter on a 16-6 run to go into the half leading 16-34. LU's 16 points was the lowest point total for a half this season. They were also held to just six made field goals in the first half. Cole and Darius Beane, the Lions' two leading scorers, were both held scoreless in the first half.

Lindenwood then fell behind 16-41 coming out of halftime after a 7-0 by the Bears which was led by Benson scoring five of the seven points. Cole scored six early points in the second half to finally break into the scoring column.

Keith Haymon II led a second half charge that cut the lead to 12 at the 9:47 mark. Haymon made two threes on the evening, which were the only two by the entire Lindenwood team (2-16 3FG).

Missouri State's offense went on a 18-7 run to increase their lead to 70-47 at the 5:29 mark. The Bears shot 29-60 (48.3% FG) on Tuesday evening in rout to their eighth win of the season. Lindenwood was held to just a field goal percentage of 31.7%.

Nathan Johnson Jr. went 2-4 from the field while scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds for the Lions. Lado also scored eight points in the loss. Beane was held to just six points stopping his seven game streak of scoring in double figures.

Lindenwood will be back in action at Hyland Arena on Friday, Dec. 22 as they take on Rockford for their final non-conference game of the season. Top-off is set for 6:00 p.m. CT, for more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.